Free The Redemption (Charlotte Bloom Book 2) by Amanda Richardson Page A

expression. He looked down and put his hand on his lips. When he lifted his head again, his eyes were closed in exasperation. He opened them and walked over to me.
    “What are you doing in my house? And why do you look like you just woke up?” He asked, incredulously.
    “I… uh…” So much for being eloquent. “I came back for you.” It was the truth, the simple truth. He waited for me to go on, and crossed his arms again. He was pissed. His nostrils were flared, and he was breathing heavily. “I slept here last night.”
    “Jesus, Charlotte.”
    “I’m sorry,” I said, taking a step closer, breaking the distance. He looked down at me, his expression hard to read. He looked up and away, sighing heavily.
    “What are you thinking?” I whispered, quietly, grabbing his hand. He pulled back immediately. Oh, no. He wasn’t giving in that easily. He looked at me, his decision splayed on his face.
    “Get the fuck out of my house.”
    My face paled. I took a step back. He was really fucking pissed.
    “Alec!” Ennis had walked in, and she was glaring at her son from the bottom of the stairs. I stood there willing myself not to cry.
    This. Was. So. Embarrassing.
    “That is not a very nice thing to say to the woman who came all the way from Los Angeles, via Wales, to see you,” Ennis continued.
    “I don’t need a lecture, mum, but thanks,” he said, as he quickly stormed away. “You… out!” He yelled, pointing first to me and then to the door. He walked hurriedly up the stairs, not looking back.
    Ennis looked at me sadly.
    “I have to go talk to him,” I said meekly.
    “Good luck,” she sighed, rubbing her temples.
    I walked up to the second story and stood in front of Alec’s door for a moment, waiting to see if he would open it. I knocked. I could hear him moving around inside. I tried the handle. It was locked.
    “Alec, open the door,” I demanded. “Come on. You can’t stay mad at me forever.” His silence answered me. I would have to beg. “Fine. If you’re going to be a petulant child about all of this, fine. But just know that I’ll do whatever it takes to win you back. I am sorry. I am so, so sorry,” I continued, yelling into the closed door. It was quiet behind it, so I hoped I was getting my desperation across. “I came back for you. I took a flight out to Wales that night I saw you in L.A. You just… you surprised me. And don’t even get me started on Charlie,” I explained. “HE kissed ME. Rather, he forced himself on me, under the guise of needing to use my restroom. It wasn’t what it looked like.”
    I hoped Ennis couldn’t hear me.
    Suddenly, the door opened. Alec stood there with his arms crossed. He looked confused.
    “So… you weren’t kissing that guy?”
    “Not intentionally. Like I said, he lied to me and forced himself on me. If it weren’t for you being there…” I looked down, and I heard him inhale sharply. “I was comparing him to you the entire night. I missed you, Alec. I wanted you. I want you,” I corrected myself. I felt myself gravitating towards him.
    “Go on.”
    He stood back, looking me up and down. For every step I took towards him, he took a step back.
    “I came back to you. I want to be with you. I showed up at the Parc and everyone told me you would be here, in Ireland, so I drove all day and got here last night.”
    “I see.” He was staring at me, examining my face. I could tell that he was trying to gauge my level of desperation.
    “Please, Alec. Let’s start over.”
    “I can’t just start over. You broke me.” And with that, he began to close his door.
    “Dammit, Alec! For God’s sake, what do I have to say? What do I have to do? I will beg you for forgiveness every day if I have to. I’ll do anything. Just tell me what I have to do.”
    He stopped mid-motion, and opened the door fully again. He had a mischievous smile on his face. I could tell he was still mad, but his bemused face was relieving to see.
    “Actually…